Q&A
Temperature monitoring and heating failure response
1:49:44
·
3 min
Council Member Banks inquires about the progress on implementing temperature monitoring devices in NYCHA developments and the process for addressing heating failures in individual apartments. NYCHA officials explain the challenges and current procedures.
Key points:
- NYCHA is testing various temperature monitoring products but facing challenges in finding reliable solutions
- A comprehensive procedure is in place for staff to respond to unit heating complaints, including temperature checks and documentation
- NYCHA has implemented a quality control process to ensure staff are following proper procedures for addressing heating issues
Chris Banks
1:49:44
Alright.
1:49:47
The monitor pointed the need for a supplemental action plan for temperature monitoring devices in all developments.
1:49:55
When should that plan be completed?
Brad Greenburg
1:49:59
The temperature monitoring, you know, we've tested a bunch of products.
1:50:03
We can have Keith come up here and talk about it.
1:50:05
It's not obviously, if you've been in Nitro Properties, it's not so easy to design a temperature monitoring device that's gonna work on the cloud across all units and all of our properties and also give you a reliable temperature.
1:50:19
So it's a really difficult problem for us.
1:50:22
We we have we have provided a lot of temperature monitoring through our building management systems, but having just a specific device is is challenging.
Chris Banks
1:50:31
When do you plan to complete it?
Brad Greenburg
1:50:33
Yeah.
1:50:33
Keith, you wanna talk about the challenges?
1:50:35
So just briefly, could you raise your right hand?
1:50:38
Do you affirm to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth in your testimony before this committee and to respond honestly to answer some more questions.
Alicia Griggs
1:50:44
Thank you.
Chris Banks
1:50:47
Is it on that?
1:50:47
Yeah.
Keith Grossman
1:50:48
So we've been looking at to Brad's point, we've been looking at a number of different models.
1:50:54
That is the there we haven't found one that actually gives us solid return on data.
1:51:02
There's wildly inconsistent with indoor with our with our industry standard temperature sensor to the remote sensor.
1:51:13
So the answer to that question is that we are continuing to work on the monitor with that and do not have a final date for completion of
Chris Banks
1:51:20
look forward to that.
1:51:22
What is Nitro's process to addressing the heating failures in individual apartments from start to finish?
Darren Sealy
1:51:32
So
Keith Grossman
1:51:35
There's another thing that we're really looking forward to working on the monitor with.
1:51:39
As part of the he as part of the agreement, we're required to work on an action plan with them.
1:51:45
This is an area that, again, to Brad's point, we didn't focus on that in the previous monitor.
1:51:50
This monitor has been working diligently on on a process to both utilize our existing data, which I think our quality has gotten a lot better over the last couple of years.
1:52:04
And then how to report on that data publicly to show where we are and are not missing the agreement.
Brad Greenburg
1:52:11
I will say just to answer your question about the process.
1:52:13
So we've worked with the heating department in compliance to build a very comprehensive procedure for our staff on what to do when there's a unit complaint.
1:52:21
It starts in the in the blood room in the tank room, but the expectation is that also our staff is gonna go to every unit that has a complaint.
1:52:30
Especially if it's during the work during the work day, and they're gonna check the they have a temperature that the thermometer that's issued them by the nitrogen department that meets standards, and they're supposed to take an a temp temperature check.
1:52:43
See if it's above the legal limit or not, check the radiators, and see if they're working properly, and there's a specific type of work order we've created for unit complaints that they have to input information on what they found and take a picture of their thermometer that shows the temperature.
1:52:57
And then we and the heating department check those work orders to see if our staff are doing it properly or not.
1:53:03
If they're not doing it properly, let's say we see a picture that has one temperature and inputted information that works with a different temperature or we see them constantly using the same temperature, We investigate that person, and so there's the heating department, and we engage in a disciplinary process if we see it repeatedly.
1:53:20
And we really want our staff to follow this very specific process for every unit complaint.
